But in an interview with ESPNDeportes.com, Ortiz was far more revealing in his response to Valentine’s suggestion on national television that Ortiz “decided not to play anymore” after the Red Sox traded stars Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, and Carl Crawford.

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“No. 1, never bite the hand that feeds you, because in the end that will come back to bite you,” Ortiz said. “I was one of those players that always showed support for him. In fact, I held a couple of player meetings.

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“No. 2, the day that I returned from the DL, I told him that I was not sure what percentage health-wise I was in, but that I could not be out there without trying to help. When I told him that, I put my career on the side to help him and the team. Being in an incredible amount of pain, I went out there to support them.

“No. 3, after he went on national TV to say what he said, he sent me a text message trying to tell me that it was the media trying to change things. I did not respond to the message and I said to myself, this guy must have some mental issues or needs medicine or something? I said, I am dealing with someone crazy and I am not going to drive myself crazy, so it is better if I leave it alone.”

Ortiz suffered an Achilles’ heel injury in July and played only one game, on Aug. 24, after that. On Aug. 25, the Red Sox completed the trade with the Dodgers. On Aug. 27, Ortiz went on the disabled list and did not play again in the 2012 season.